Civil Unions in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. – Gov. John Lynch signed a bill Thursday that will legalize civil unions for gay couples beginning in January.

"We in New Hampshire have had a long and proud tradition of taking the lead in opposing discrimination," Lynch said. "Today that tradition continues."

Spectators packed the governor's chambers and overflowed into an adjoining sitting room. They snapped photos and burst into applause as he signed.

"I've listened and I've heard all the arguments," Lynch said. "I do not believe that this bill threatens marriage. I believe that this is a matter of conscience and fairness."

Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson was among those attending. Although his consecration in 2003 as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church divided the worldwide Anglican union to which it belongs, Robinson and his longtime partner plan to take advantage of civil unions.

"This is not a radical departure," he said of the bill. "This is a real confirmation of what New Hampshire has always been about: the freedom of its own citizens and fairness for everyone."

"It's a huge step for fairness and equality," he added.

New Hampshire is the first state to embrace same-sex unions without a court order or the threat of one. Connecticut adopted civil unions without a court order two years ago, though a lawsuit was pending.

Vermont, California, New Jersey, Maine and Washington also have laws allowing either civil unions or domestic partnerships, and Oregon will also join the list in January. Hawaii extends certain spousal rights to same-sex couples and cohabiting heterosexual pairs. Only Massachusetts allows same-sex couples to marry.

Couples entering civil unions will have the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations as married couples. Same-sex unions from other states would be recognized if they were legal in the state where they were performed.

The bill's success was a turnabout from two years ago, when a study panel recommended against any meaningful consideration of marriage and civil unions and endorsed a constitutional amendment to limit marriage to unions between a man and a woman.

But Democrats won control of the Legislature last fall for the first time in more than a century, dramatically changing the equation. Civil unions passed both Houses largely along party lines, and Lynch, a Democrat, promised to sign it.

"Sometimes you've just got to live long enough. I never thought I'd see the day," said Dawn Touzin of the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition. She wiped away tears as she spoke.

"It's just been such a struggle," she said. "It shouldn't be this hard just to want to be in a relationship. This is a huge step and I'm just so proud of New Hampshire today."

While he applauded the new law, Robinson said he will not direct Episcopal priests in the state to bless same-sex unions. Such blessings have been another divisive issue for Episcopalians and the Anglican union.

Robinson said the issue is one for individual priests.

"That authority belongs to them and I would not in any way ask them not to do that. ... Just like in marriages, every priest will have the option to bless or not to bless," he said.

raphjd

Sadly, civil unions are nothing more than "SEPARATE BUT VASTLY UNEQUAL".

It still denies gay couples over 14,000 rights and privileges that hetero married couples get in the US. This can also lead to tax issues, as the federal gov does not accept civil unions, so the tax benefits you get at state level will cause problems when you do your federal taxes.

dazza190574

I don't understand this though, America always bangs on about being a progressive society.

At least here in the UK you can have a civil partnership and it is legally recognised, and some people over here never thought it would ever happen. :closedeyes:

raphjd

I have a UK civil union and it does nothing really.

Civil unions hold no weight outside the country or state it was issued in. Unlike marriage, that can be transfered no matter where you go.

Also, most civil unions {like the UK} have to be specifically written into law and a lot of things get left out; ie adoption, pensions, etc, etc.